Today in 1944 Operation Neptune commenced. Starting with the an airborne assault landing of 24,000 British, American and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing. of Allied infantry and armoured divisions on the coast of France starting at 6:30 am. The landings took place along a 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
At the end of the operation the Allied had gained a foothold in Europe. This landing would eventually lead to the Surrender of Nazi Germany, the Liberation of Europe, the rescue of millions of civilians and halted the expansion of Nazi Germany. the landings involved over 156 000 combatants of the Allied Forces, and at the end of the landings there were over 12 000 casualties.
At the end of the operation the Allied had gained a foothold in Europe. This landing would eventually lead to the Surrender of Nazi Germany, the Liberation of Europe, the rescue of millions of civilians and halted the expansion of Nazi Germany. the landings involved over 156 000 combatants of the Allied Forces, and at the end of the landings there were over 12 000 casualties.
69 Years ago today the tide of war turned, the Allies landed and had to fight for every inch of the beaches, they fought up the beaches and into the countryside, up into the villages, and across the countryside. Nazi Germany would sign the Total and Unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945. Japan would surrender on August 15, 1945.
Why do I post this you may ask? This is a blog about a Redneck Pagan, who writes about religion and spirituality, Magic, Spells and sarcastic commentaries on the state of Modern Society from the odd view point and sense of humour I have. Well to be honest, it has everything to do with me.
You see we are here today, free and speaking English because of the bold men that jumped from the security of the ships, into the gunfire on the beaches. Had Nazi Germany been allowed to continue to expand they very well may have invaded North America, which includes my home here in Canada. Had they not been halted they would have ruthlessly cut through to our shores, to our beloved free nation. They would have stomped out any opposition, executing anybody who did not agree with their policies, or who did not meet their standard of Racial Purity.
I can sit here and be sarcastic, write my blog, work in the job I choose, marry whomever I want, follow the religion of my choice and go to school, because I am free. I am free because many men and women have laid down their lives to give me this great gift. I can sleep in my bed safe at night because there are people who stand between me and those that would do me and my country harm.
For a long long time in the days of WWII Europe was swallowed by darkness, slavery and mass murder were every day occurances. Violence, oppression and tyranny were the way of life for millions. As a species the human race sank to a level of such depravity and darkness that we had not even been able to convieve of in our deepest and most desperate nightmares. June 6, 1944 the world came together and said "NO MORE, the darkness stops here, we will push you back, we will fight and librate those you have enslaved, we will hunt you down and we will stop you".
That is why I honour today, and all those who took part in it, who laid their lives on the line and fought forwards, to defeat the darkness. I live in the light that they secured for me.
Yours Humbly
The Redneck Pagan
Original CBS broadcast of the invasion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vSpvFLpS7I
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete